Bhutan holiday tours

The happiest country in the world, Bhutan is renowned for its immense natural beauty. While its mountainous topography beckons loads of adventure lovers, its monasteries and stupas invite sightseers. One of the best things to do during Bhutan holiday tours is partaking in its culture. It can be done by interacting with the warm-hearted locals or attending music and dance performances. Another thing, which can help tourists get an insight into the long-held traditions, is festivals. Described below are three of the most significant festivals, celebrated all around the country.

Tsechu

Tsechu is dedicated to the deity, Padmasambhava, who founded the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism. To restore the health of the local king, the deity performed a set of dances that are now known as Cham dances. Some of these performances also depict incidents from the life of other saints. Most Tseshus stretch for four days, during which such performances, some with swords and masks, are held. The festivities conclude with the unfurling of a huge scroll painting, called Thongrel, depicting Padmasambhava with his consorts.

Matsutake Festival

Culinary enthusiasts can visit the approximately 10170-feet high Ura Valley in the dzongkhag of Bumthang during their Bhutan vacation tours to attend the Matsutake Festival. The celebration signals the start of the harvesting season for Matsutake, a type of wild mushroom. Organised in the last weekend of August, the event can help travellers combine their love for food and trekking. They can hike through the spruce and fir forests of the valley along with its inhabitants to pick the mushrooms. The locals can tell globetrotters how to find and identify them. Apart from this, traditional dance and music performances can be attended and delicious mushroom dishes can also be tasted here.

Nomad Festival

One of the unique celebrations to attend during Bhutan holiday tours is the annual Nomad Festival. Hosted in Bumthang, it brings together migrant communities from the Haa, Gasa, Thimphu, Paro, Wangduephodrang and Tashigang dzongkhags. This way, Bumthang becomes a melting pot and exhibition ground of various cultures. While here, holidaymakers will get an insight into the pastoral life, the nomads have been living for ages. They can even dress up like these migrants in attire, made exclusively of yak wool. Sitting around a hearth with crossed legs and eating traditional dishes is another thing tourists can do.

Attending these festivities during Bhutan vacation tours will give visitors a glimpse into the local culture.

Bhutan, known as the land of the thunder dragon, is an abode of breathtakingly magnificent places as well as cultural treasures. Its cultural heritage includes thirteen arts and crafts that have been practised by natives for centuries. The women of Bhutan are highly skilled at weaving, producing textiles that are highly treasured. People, who are interested in traditional art and architecture, can go on Bhutan tours for a sneak peek into the culture of the local people. Described below are three things that can give an essence of the various aspects of the kingdom.

Walking Down the Creative Gully

Traditional Bhutanese arts and crafts are suitable for people, who have a fondness for handmade things. The locals have mastered themselves at Tsha-Zo, which includes weaving things out of natural products. Tourists may be able to see citizens, sitting on their doorsteps, prolifically working with cane and bamboo. Another vibrant art, prevailing here is Shag-Zo, the making of cups and bowls from wood. Holidaymakers can buy such handmade things from local shops to keep as a memento of their Bhutan tours.

Uniting with Nature

The pleasant climatic conditions of this Himalayan country make it one of the richest biodiversity hotspots on earth. It has a number of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries that are the dwellings of many animals and bird species. These protected territories can be explored by those, who wish to seek solace. There are many such establishments here like Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park, Thrumshingla National Park, Royal Manas National Park, Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary and Khaling Wildlife Sanctuary. Some animals to see here are takins, red pandas, barking and musk deer, bharals and snow leopards.

A Tryst with Bhutanese Cuisine

Travellers, who love food, bursting with flavour, will relish Bhutanese cuisine, which is considered incomplete without spices. Chillies are the essence of almost every dish, which is generally accompanied by rice. Some popular local preparations are Ema Datshi (made from chillies and cheese), Phaksha Pa (pork cooked with red chillies), red rice and Jasha Maroo, (spicy minced chicken cooked with tomatoes).

Travellers can go on Bhutan holiday tours to get an insight into the traditions that it has preserved for such a long time.